When Outrage Goes Viral: The Video, and the Web Reactions, That Led Rutgers to Fire Coach Rice

Per the AP, Rutgers has fired basketball coach Mike Rice after ESPN obtained a video that showed him verbally and physically abusing players, even throwing basketballs at their heads. Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti originally saw the footage in November and decided to suspend him for three games, TIME’s Sean Gregory reported.

As the video went viral Tuesday, numerous celebrities and high-profile New Jersey tweeters expressed shock and outrage. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) said he was “deeply disturbed by the conduct displayed and strongly condemns this behavior,” according to spokesman Michael Drewniak. “It’s not the type of leadership we should be showing our young people.” Christie tweeted this morning that the decision to terminate Rice was “right and necessary”: “This was a regrettable episode for @RutgersU, but I completely support the decision to remove Coach Rice.”

Sheila Oliver (D), speaker of the NJ state assembly, dubbed Rice’s behavior “unacceptable not only at our state university, but in all circumstances. It is offensive and unbecoming of our state…Meanwhile, the decision not to dismiss him last year needs a complete and thorough review.”

Every coach at the school will have to deal with this video as they try to recruit players for their programs. If I’m in New Jersey recruiting football players, I’m showing the recruits and their parents that ESPN video and saying that based on his choice to keep Rice, the Rutgers AD condones this sort of activity. Do you want your son or daughter playing for an athletic department where the man in charge thinks that’s OK?

Per the AP, Rutgers has fired basketball coach Mike Rice after ESPN obtained a video that showed him verbally and physically abusing players, even throwing basketballs at their heads. Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti originally saw the footage in November and decided to suspend him for three games, TIME’s Sean Gregory reported.

As the video went viral Tuesday, numerous celebrities and high-profile New Jersey tweeters expressed shock and outrage. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) said he was “deeply disturbed by the conduct displayed and strongly condemns this behavior,” according to spokesman Michael Drewniak. “It’s not the type of leadership we should be showing our young people.” Christie tweeted this morning that the decision to terminate Rice was “right and necessary”: “This was a regrettable episode for @RutgersU, but I completely support the decision to remove Coach Rice.”

Sheila Oliver (D), speaker of the NJ state assembly, dubbed Rice’s behavior “unacceptable not only at our state university, but in all circumstances. It is offensive and unbecoming of our state…Meanwhile, the decision not to dismiss him last year needs a complete and thorough review.”

Every coach at the school will have to deal with this video as they try to recruit players for their programs. If I’m in New Jersey recruiting football players, I’m showing the recruits and their parents that ESPN video and saying that based on his choice to keep Rice, the Rutgers AD condones this sort of activity. Do you want your son or daughter playing for an athletic department where the man in charge thinks that’s OK?